Stephen Colbert is addressing speculation surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The host suggested that it’s “reasonable” for people to connect CBS’s decision to a recent settlement in a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. However, the longtime host stopped short of confirming that belief himself, insisting that “my side of the street is clean.”
In a new GQ cover interview for the magazine’s 2025 Men of the Year issue, Colbert opened up to writer Zach Baron about the network’s decision to end The Late Show—his iteration and the entire long-running franchise—after his ten-year tenure.
“I’m the first number one show to ever get canceled,” he quipped, noting that his show had dominated late-night ratings for nine consecutive years, consistently topping Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.
The cancellation came shortly after CBS reportedly paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against the network and 60 Minutes. The deal raised eyebrows, especially amid the pending merger of Paramount Global and Skydance, which required approval from a Trump-appointed FCC chair.
Around the same time, Colbert had joked on air that the settlement’s “technical name in legal circles” was “big fat bribe.” Not long after, he learned from his manager that the current season would be his last.
“My reaction as a professional in show business is to go: That is the network’s decision,” Colbert told GQ. “It is self-evident that that is damaging to the reputation of the network, the corporation, and the news division. So it is unclear to me why anyone would do that other than to curry favor with a single individual.”
CBS has officially stated the decision was “purely financial,” citing a “challenging backdrop in late night.” Colbert said he accepts that explanation but acknowledged the timing was surprising. “I have had a great relationship with CBS,” he said. “That’s why it was so shocking that there was no preamble to this.”
Following the announcement in July, speculation spread beyond online chatter, with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff publicly questioning whether politics played a role. Colbert, however, maintains that while others can theorize, he won’t.
“People can have their theories,” he said. “You’d have to show me why that’s a fruitful relationship for me to have with my network for the next nine months, for me to engage in that speculation.”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its run in May 2026. The show recently won the Emmy Award for Best Talk Series, where Colbert received a standing ovation.